A couple years ago, Lynne turned on her radio and listened, for the first time, about the horrific realities of war and conflict ongoing in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The violence – contributing to the death of over 5 million people – had already raged for over a decade.

Needing to see and hear the firsthand accounts of the daily challenges of communities – especially women – Lynne traveled to the DRC with World Relief in 2010. There she learned about the collaborative work with local churches to support survivors of rape, listened to women recount the heart-breaking details of their personal stories of loss and abuse, and saw the great need for the Church to stand for peace in Congo.

With great heart and passion, Lynne has since continued to listen, learn, and advocate for the protection and restoration of displaced communities and vulnerable women in eastern DRC. In June 2012, Lynne once again travels with World Relief to humbly listen and amplify the plight of women and the mission of justice and restoration of the Congolese church.

We invite you to listen and follow Lynne and her team in Congo here. You can also follow World Relief's Belinda Bauman on her blog here.